Saturday, March 11, 2017

My Favorite Tools for a Healthy Lifestyle

One of the benefits of living in California is the abundance of fruit trees right in my backyard. With the unusual rains this year, the lemon tree is blossoming as is the orange tree. When my mother was alive and she visited me she couldn't believe the oranges that were in my yard. She made sure to eat one every day. Sometimes I'd ship some to her since it brought her such joy.

These days I find myself thinking of the number of ways I can use my oranges. First I bought a fruit picker so I could reach the oranges that were out of my reach. Once picked, I juice the oranges and make fresh-squeezed orange juice. Fresh orange juice is refreshing, loaded with enzymes and antioxidants, vitamin C which is an anti-aging collagen booster, a good source of magnesium and other minerals, and boosts your metabolism. Fresh OJ is just good for you! This juicer from Cuisinart which I use, gets the job done easily.

Six oranges typically will yield about 8 oz or more of juice. Since nothing goes to waste I then use some of the orange juice combined with water and make my daily green juice using the NutriBullet we got one year for Christmas. A little story - my husband bought this because he heard of its benefits. But honestly, once I discovered it I've put it to great use. It is better than a blender and he's never touched it, but he does enjoy the fruits of my labor! My green juice recipe is quite simple - half a cucumber, a handful or 2 of spinach or kale, a banana, and some blueberries all combined with liquid. This is my basic recipe to which I add Spirulina, Tumeric or Flaxseed.

No one can live on juice alone, though. The  Instant Pot has changed my life. (I have become a personal evangelist for the Instant Pot and no one is paying me to do so; I just think that anyone who cooks should have one.) I got mine in November - but when I fasted in January this was the primary way we were able to eat healthily and be satisfied. The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that drastically reduces cooking times. For example, spaghetti squash takes about an hour to roast in the oven; in the Instant Pot, it takes 12 minutes. Just put the whole thing in, rest it on the trivet, put a cup of water in, cover and let it cook for 12 minutes. When done and the pressure is released, you have a perfectly done spaghetti squash. My current favorite recipes are:

Spaghetti Squash
Steel Cut Oatmeal
Lentil Soup
Carribean Rice & Beans - I don't have a link to a recipe yet. But in West Indian households, in particular, on Sundays, this is a staple for Sunday dinner. I tried this in the IP recently because my mom always cooked rice in her pressure cooker and it came out exceptionally well. My husband has fallen in love with me all over again! Recipe to come soon.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Eating healthy and taking advantage of all that nature has to offer has made a difference in the way my family and I look and feel. I encourage you to make changes that will benefit you also.

--Nylse

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3 comments:

  1. I noticed a few lemon trees during a walk the other day. I didn't realize that lemons could grow in LA! You're so lucky to have your own tree! #BLMgirl

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  2. I love this post! Thanks for sharing your tips, I learned a lot and I'm encouraged! {hugs}

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  3. It's so wonderful that you have embraced a healthy lifestyle. It's one of the best things we can do for ourselves. I am always amazed at how many pieces of fruit it takes to make just one glass of juice. Our juicer was the most popular thing in our kitchen when we first got it, but I don't think it has been touched in years.

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